The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, as part of its Ramadan activities, is set to launch a new initiative themed ‘healthy fasting’ during the 11th session of the Ramadan Forum.

The drive, introduced in collaboration with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the Dubai Municipality and a number of hospitals and medical centres, will begin on the first day of the Lectures Programme at the Main Tent in Al Twar area or at the Mass Iftar Tent of Al Muhaisana-2 Labour Camp.

Nasser Juma bin Sulaiman, Events Supervisor at the Ramadan Forum, said the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing is very keen to come up with new activities this year, apart from the popular ones presented in the past years. “The move is to develop Muslims’ awareness about healthy fasting and provide them, particularly patient ones, with useful information.”

He said the scheme, the first of its kind, comprises a series of lectures on the best way to fast in a healthy way and avoid exhaustion and other health risks. “A group of specialists are to deliver lectures on the benefits of fasting, the right food to eat during Ramadan, as well as precautionary measures against common diseases.”

Donating to help poor workers with medicine is one of the main activities included under the theme ‘a cure for a fasting patient’. Such a gesture is good for workers’ health, particularly those with chronic diseases or recently subjected to surgeries, such as eye and spine disorders, and hepatitis,” he said.

The Forum will also see the participation of several bodies, such as the associations of breast cancer, arthritis, diabetes at the Ramadan Tent from July 24 to August 4, and at Al Twar-2 area from July 20 to August 20.

Dr Munir Hamad, member of the activities committee, Dubai Municipality Clinic, said medical check-ups, tests and medicines will cover an array of diseases.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com